0-Methallyl lactate

This method of preparation is suitable for producing primary alkyl lactates but is unsatisfactory for /3-methallyl lactate because the strong mineral acid catalyzes the rearrangement of methallyl alcohol to isobutyraldehyde. Methyl lactate can be made conveniently (80-85% yield) by heating 1 mole of lactic acid condensation polymer with 2.5-5 moles of methanol and a small quantity of sulfuric acid at 100 for 1-4 hours in a heavy-walled bottle, such as is used for catalytic hydrogenation with a platinum catalyst. 

Metal reaction vessel, 83, 102 Methacrylamide, 29, 61 Methacrylamide sulfate, 39, 62 Methacrylic acid, 29, 4 /3-Methallyl lactate, 26, 6 Methane, chlorotriphenyl-, 23,100, 102... 

Alternatively, (trimethylenemethane)iron complexes can be synthesized by disproportionation of tricarbonyl(2-methallyl)ironJ Enantiomerically pure tricarbonyl-(trimethylenemethane)iron complexes can be obtained by resolution of the racemic mixture via diastereomeric esters or amides. (5)-(-)-Ethyl lactate and (/ I)-(+)-a-methyl-benzylamine are employed as resolving reagents for this piupose. The chiral auxiliaries can be removed by a variety of reagents leaving the (trimethylenemethane)iron fragment unaffected. Treatment of both the corresponding Boc-protected amides and the chiral esters with diisobutylaluminum hydride (DIBAL) or methyllithium provides the primary or tertiary alcohols, respectively. Saponification of the ester with lithium hydroxide in methanol and subsequent acidification of the mixture affords the methyl ester. Treatment of the ester with triethylsilane leads to complete reduction of the functionality to leave a methyl group (Scheme 4—85). ... 

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